Tang Jiezhong, one of China's top crosstalk artists, died in Beijing on June 18.
中国相声表演艺术家唐杰忠于6月18日在北京逝世。
Tang worked as the managing director of the Chinese Quyi Study Center and was a part-time professor at the Beijing Language College, now known as the Beijing Language and Culture University.
Tang made a great contribution to the Chinese crosstalk throughout his life. In 2010, he was awarded Lifetime Achievement Award at the China Quyi Peony Awards, a top-level award that recognizes
excellence1 in quyi, or Chinese folk art.
With abundant stage experience, Tang was also a familiar face at the CCTV Spring Festival Gala. Audiences adored his performing style and humor, and even
bestowed2 him an endearing nickname as the "smiling
Buddha3".
During his
partnership4 with also
renowned5 crosstalk artist Jiang Kun, the duo created a series of crosstalk classics, including the household name
skit6 Daydreams7 in Front of a Tiger.
Tang
dedicated8 his life to giving back to the crosstalk community, and took on more than 20
apprentices9 throughout his career. Gong Hanlin, a recognized
comedian10, said he would "never forget what my teacher, Tang, did for me. I am grateful to him forever."